Incremental sanding apparatus for trimming book blocks



Sept. 8, 1953 p. DE FLOREZ ETAL 2,65 ,150

INCREMENTAL SANDING APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING BOOK BLOCKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 2, 1949 Paier 3 Equals [fax/1m j M4 4.

Sept. 8, 1953 I P. DE FLOREZ ETAL 2,651,150

INCREMENTAL SANDING APPARATUSYFOR TRIMMING BOOK BLOCKS Fi led Nov. 2, 1949 Y gamete-sheet 2 l llllll' JNVENTORS Pal I? 1 7017? y firmm'f [us/am Patented Sept. 8, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INCREMENTAL SANDING APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING BOOK BLOCKS Peter de Florez, Oyster Bay, and Francis J. Cashin, East Williston, N. Y., assignors, by mesne assignments, to The De Florez Company, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application November 2, 1949, Serial No. 125,091

3 Claims.

to the exposed edges of the page section a predetermined degree of smoothness or roughness. The invention is particularly adapted for use in the manufacture of hard cased books of high quality without sewing.

In that type of book binding which contemplates the use of a pliable adhesive coating as .a binding means for a hard cased book it is necessary that a close bond be established between the binding adhesive and the edge of each individual page of the page block without exposing the page surfaces. To insure the bond between the page edges and the adhesive coating it is necessary to remove the signature or other folds at the binding edge and impart to the exposed page edges a surface texture which will make the strongest bond. In achieving this result it has been found that the heavy knife type of cutter, frequently used to trim the other edges of books, is not suitable for preparing the binding edge because the cut made by such a knife leaves a surface which is excessively smooth and glossy in character. Although a moderately smooth surface is desirable in certain cases, it is preferable in a cutting apparatus to have some provision for control of the smoothness of the cut. The

heavy knife type of cutters or trimmers are infore such an apparatus is not suitable for inclusion in a continuous or assembly line type of process.

When metal cutters such as a rotary knife or band saw are utilized it is frequently necessary to increase or decrease the roughness of the surface with a sanding device in order to prepare the binding edge to accept a continuous smooth plastic surface for it is imperative that each page of the book presents an edge to the bindingplane for binding. In using the various types of mechanical cutters it is necessary for efficient-operation of the cutting tool to remove more paper than is required to reach all the pages in a signature type book page block in which there are a multiplicity of superimposed folds which must be cut through. If the cut is not sufficiently deep the cutting tool will be deflected and will pass under the book block, or at least under some of the pages thereof.

The method and apparatus of this invention obviates the use of mechanical cutters and pro vides a series of continuously moving abrading surfaces which incrementally trim the binding 2 edge as the page block is moved continuously into contact with theabrading surfaces positioned at successive stations along the path of the'page block.

An important object of the invention is to provide an efiicient and simple means for preparing the binding edge surface of the page-block or section to a predetermined degree of roughness, such means being adjustable to vary the roughness of the binding surface.

Another object is to provide an apparatus wherein only the minimum amount of paper, necessary to expose each page in the binding edge,

is cut from the page block, with a consequent saving in paper.

Afurther object is to provide an edge trimmer which is capable of inclusion in a continuous process system of book manufacture.

An additional object is to provide an apparatus in which the folds of paper may be removed in several increments reducing the excessive pressure against the moving page block and thereby enabling the page blocks to be conveyed and processed at greater speeds and without burningthe paper.

The invention may be more fully reference to the drawings, in which:

' Fig. 1 is aschematic plan view illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is aside elevational view of the abrading apparatus as viewed from line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

' Fig. 3 is a plan view of a single abrading device;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the abrader with the removable guide plate removed;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken along the lin 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail, chiefly in horizontal section, of the removable guide plate of the abrader;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section on line 7-1 of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged end view of a page block before and after processing.

The apparatus embodying the invention illustrated in the drawings includes a series of abrading stations disposed in the path of continuously moving book page blocks and arranged to per-. form prescribed operations as each succeeding page block is presented. The operations will be fully set out hereinbelow.

Referrin to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, each abrading station Ill has a supporting frame 25, an abrading belt 26, made of any suitable material such as sand paper or emery cloth, mounted on rotatable cylinders 21, 28. The abrading belt 26 is driven described by by friction contact with the driven cylinder 21 'to which power is transmitted by a belt and pulley system 43 shown in part in Figs. 1 and 3.

The idler cylinder 28 is rotatably journalled in.

an arm 30 which is pivotally mounted to the frame 25 by pivot pin .l I passed through stud l2. Tension spring 29 is connected to the arm @ll andto the bracket. 3.! afiixedto thez-supporting framev 25, and is arranged to draw the-cylinder 2L8 .aavana from the driven cylinder 2? and thereby maintaiml the belt 26, which is mounted on the cylinders, under sufficient tension to insure fri-r'itr'onalzicon---- 5s tact with the driven cylinder 21. The amount of tension of spring 29 may be changeaby adjust-e ment of wing nut 2| which iszthneadeetnn spring post 22.

Guide plates 32, 33 are supported byztheeframe .105.

25 in a horizontal position slightly aboyathe, face. of the abrading belt 26. The guide plates lie in the same plane and their faces are parallels-amt separated to permit the passage of a book block therebetween. The space between. the? guide; plates 32, 33 defines.adiagonalcpath-across the; face of the abrading-belh Vertically, adjustable-.- platen 3 3 is positioned beneath theaabr-adingbelt. 2,6to give support to the beltduring the-abrad-ing operation; and to adjust thehorizon ofrthe abradz-e 2o ing surface.

Although useful. in other circumstances, the= apparatus of thisimlention is of particular ad.-- vantage when it is employedinconjunctiomwith book, manufacturing; operations-3 of: a: continuous type. such as those disclosed, in, thezco-pending. application filed. May v 1,- 1948, Serial No. 24-A94 of. Luis" deFlorez; Peter. deElorez. andaOwenlL, Gore.

The page rblocks,- which it is; contemplated .to so process-in the presentapparatus-,may be com-.- posed of either the folded signatures ofthetype shown in'Fig; 8; which have-been used-generally in making; hard case books ,wherein: amultiplicity of superimposed folds 46m paper are presented. 35 at the binding'edgapr they maybe made-up. of an accordion folded. web of paper, in which only. single folds are in the binding edge of. the-,page. block. When the page blocks are composed of; folded signatures the amount of. papenwhichmust 40 be trimmed from;the-binding edge by the several, abrading. stations must. be sufi'icient to cut through the several superimposed folds ..of paper. togthereby expose. the edge. il iiof each leafv 431 f the: page block in the finished binding edge .-sur.- 5 face: shown in1Fig.; 8. Referring to: Figs. 1 and..2,,the.pag e sections, or blocks 48 .are positioned in the clamps-130i acontinuousconveyon (not shown) so;that the. binding edges to. be. cut occupy a common horizontal planeaain Fig.. 8.-- 50 The abrading be1ts26 :of each, successive -.abrading station. it. are adjustable vertically;-to. intercept. the comznon planethrough which the uncut binding edges are conveyed at several incrementah. levels, i. e'.levels;b c,.and d, shownin Fig.8.:

The economy of paperrand of cutting-energy; which canbe effected by use of this .inventionmay be appreciatedby comparing the final incremental. abrasion level (1 with linee which is -the. level at which the various; types of knifecutters-op erate so that the cutting tool is not deflected and. passed under thebindingedge: With the knife.- cutters it is also necessaryto remove-additional; paper. i. e.-, above line c,,to obtain; theidesired roughness of surface texture.

The adjustments; for a predetermined.- amount of abrading at the :binding. edge also may be 736: complished by. changing the horizontal. plane. through which the bindingedgesrjmoves Each successive page blockisgconveyed .intoe gagement with the abrading:stationsspositioned along the predetermined pathuwhich; the page blocks travel. Thesuccessive; abradi'ng;. stations; lo are spaced apart along the predetermined path; of travel of the page blocks andlare aposltioned-;so

thatthe-rapidly .-movingabrading; surfaces contactgthe. binding-[edges eoi the page. blocks in a horizontal plane. In the area of contact with the binding edges the abrading surfaces are moving in the -oppcsita direction to the travel of page blockseas indicated by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 2, and} theaseveral. abrading stations are angularly disgoseditodvherp ath-pf the continuously conveyed pagesblnckssas shown in Fig. 1, so that the several abradinge surfacesa:.move diagonally across the bindingedgeslduring the successive abrading operations. An angle of from 5 to 15 to the line Of-irtfflilfil of the page blocks has been found suitable to effect more efficient cutting and to permit the: relief: or unloading of the. paper dust .durin the: abrading operation..

In order. to-increase. or. decreasethe frictional; contact between the abrading. surfaces 25;. and. thefbinding edges. of.-the successive .book blocks. the1platenq3d-is mounted forvertical adjustment. onthethreaded shaft 36 which in turn is mounted inthe-collar 31.: attached to supportingframe 25. The knob.35. is provided. at theend. of shaft 3.6 so that the latter may be turned up. ordcwnin thecollar 3'1;v After passingover. thelast abrad ing.;. surface-,, which imparts-the final degree. of roughness or smoothnessto the binding edge,- the" page block (moves. f orward. to. receive the adhesive. coating; andvto-berfurther, processedin accordance with the process contemplated in the can-pending, aDlJlication-.-of1Luis deFlorez, Peter deFlorez and. Owen. LuGore filed May .l,.1948,,Serial No. 24.4%..

- The fguiderplates 3 2-.and: 33. in. the. abrading sta.-. tionaraarranged: so; as. to engage the.outer. leaves of eachxsuccessive page bloclc slightly above. the. binding edge.- which-.is-tobe abraded. andpress. the :leaves. andfolds-of. the binding. edge together. under yielding; pressure. The pagebloch. en.-- gaging .faces. 1 l.3:-and,-.-1.4-of. theguideplates flare.- outwardly at.-the,- receiving: end..of the ,abrading. station togather. thelcouter. leaves. of;thepage.v block into; the restricted .slideway defined ,by-, the: guideplates: The guidezplates receive thepage. block;;before it is subjected. to the-sanding or.. abrading-pperations; and..-hold: the binding edge, thereby; preventing; the-individual page. ends or edges from being fanned. outwardiby the. motion. oft-theeabrading beltizfi... When the-outer pages.

- aret'not-heldproperly and are permitted to ran an; uneven edge. results; having .tornand rag ed, edges: 0fther leaves. near, the outer faces .ofothe. page block The. most.- desirable. finished texture for theebindingredgetis chain which the. indiv .vidual page edges have a uniform degree of rough:

ness-randslierin.arcommonplaner Ire-order touaccommodata book page blocksmf pressure adjustments 39 all of which traverseaflangei5 which depends from the. guide 32: and which supports .-the latter, as shown in Figs; 5 and; 7. The threaded stops.38,engaging thebar 40; establish, the: inner limit of, the: guider plate. .32 *Shafts i1 areemounted in the-bac lli by screw-- connections; 48 and extend-.outwardly as shown; in Figs. 6" and .7;-

The flange :l5uofrthe guide plate 32:is-slidably. mountedr-on the shafts l'l 'and is pressed yieldingly inward: along the -shaftsbythe, coil, springs. i 6- surr0undlng;.the shafts andabutting; theouter face of the flange 15. The spiing pressureimayl bevariedby adjusting sprmg pressure adjusting wing nuts 3fl+threadedp on". the shafts 11,- which. abut the rother sendzofr the. springss I61. The slide.- mounting; of theoguide plate. flange; i5 permits;

the guide plate 32 to be laterally displaced in an outward direction against the yielding pressure of springs 15. The outer guide 32 may thus be given a. set adjustment and at the same time be removed to allow easy access to the abrading belt for rapid replacement thereof.

The outer guide 32 can be removed by lifting the bar 66 (see Figs, and 7) out of the slots 42 in the bracket 4 I, the latter being permanently fastened to the frame 25. The guide bar 33 in the present form of the invention is fixed to the frame by screws 20. However, it will be appreciated that a suitable adjustable and resilient mounting could be provided for it similar to the mounting for guide plate 32.

Although it might seem desirable to proceed with the relatively rough surface resulting from a single abrasive pass, i. e. as furnishing more tooth for the subsequently applied adhesive, experience indicates that the roughness is cocasioned by relatively loose fibers which may become embedded in the adhesive but have no holding strength relative to the leaves of the page block. With a relatively smooth edge there is little looseness of the fibers and much better opportunity for penetration of the adhesive edgewise into the individual leaves for maximum holding effect.

The optimum degree of smoothness or roughness depends upon the character of the paper and an advantage of this combination of sanding incrementally is that a variable and controllable surface texture may be produced. With relatively non-absorptive papers a binding surface of only moderate smoothness is satisfactory and may often be most desirable to secure the optimum endwise bond with the adhesive coating. With many papers of high or considerable absorptiveness, however, an extremely smooth surface is preferred. Another factor which will enter into a determination of the smoothness desired is the type of adhesive to be used including its penetrating and bonding qualities.

The coarseness of the several abrading sanding surfaces may be varied to produce a binding surface, i. e., the final surface of the binding edge of the book block, of predetermined smoothness. Minor variations in the binding surface texture may also be achieved by a change in speed of the abrading belt and by vertical adjustment of the platen 34 to increase or decrease the pressure contact of the sandin belt with the binding surface.

The incremental sanding method and apparatus of the invention is of particular advantage as a manufacturing procedure because the incremental nature of the operation performed by the several individual abrading surfaces enables each to last longer in operation and avoids frequent renewals. Furthermore, the action of each abrader is more uniform for a considerable period of operation as it is not worn down as rapidly or as extensively as would be the case if the entire operation were attempted with the use of a single sander.

Although the use of belt sanders or abrading surfaces are presently preferred, rotary disc and peripheral sanders also may be used.

It will thus be appreciated that the present invention, by controlled adjustments of the successive incremental abrading operations, produces binding surfaces of a predetermined degree of smoothness or roughness on successive page block units and that the invention may be embodied readily in a system of book manufacture wherein successive page blocks are conveyed along a predetermined path and subjected to the various processes and forming operations at work stations disposed along the path. It will be noted also that with this invention no more paper is removed than is necessary to expose all the pages in the binding edge and to impart the desired surface texture.

In accordance with the patent statutes, the best mode known of carrying out the principles of the invention has been described in this speci fication, but it will be understood that the structures disclosed are only illustrative and the invention may be carried out by other means. Also, while it is contemplated that the various arrangements and elements be used in the combinations and relations described, some of these may be a1- tered and modified in ways, other than those suggested, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for trimming the binding edges of books, more than one abrading station, a book conveyor adapted to hold firmly a book page block to be trimmed and to convey it and to present the binding edge successively to sanding surfaces in said abrading stations, said abrading stations being spaced apart and each station having a sanding surface, supporting and driving means for said sanding surface adapted to drive said sanding surface and to maintain it in horizontal abrading contact with said binding edge, said sanding surface of each station being arranged to cut and abrade the edge of the book page block diagonally to the path of travel of said book page block, supporting guides disposed at the abrading station adjacent and just out of contact with said sanding surface and spring means for resiliently pressing the guides against the face of each passing page block adapted to slidably engage the sides of the page blocks adjacent the binding edges and to guide the book page blocks during their passage over the sanding surface, and for maintaining the leaves of the page block against lateral displacement by said sanding surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 which includes means for removably mounting said supporting guides, said means being adjustable for varying the spacing of said guides.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 which includes means for removably mounting said supporting guides, said means being adjustable to vary the spacing of the guides, at least one of said guides being adapted for yieldable lateral displacement.

. PETER DE FLOREZ.

FRANCIS J. CASHIN.

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